Another Swing at the Unmanned Convenience Store

Developer ShelfX brings new concept to retailers

September 02, 2014

LAS VEGAS -- ShelfX, provider of at-shelf buying and inventory management solutions, is taking a swing at unattended convenience stores. The company that pioneered at-shelf buying is welcoming interested companies, whether corporate offices, hotels, convenient-store owners or franchisees, to their new Las Vegas showroom to experience the ease of shopping without lines, cashiers or product scanning.

The new showroom mimics a real-life unattended micro market and is fully equipped with ShelfX patent-pending “wave before you take” technology. Entry to the convenient store is completely secured, requiring a wave of the shopper's pre-paid Xcard or swipe of a credit card.

Upon entering the cashier-less convenient store, shoppers simply wave their Xcard again at the shelf or cooler and then select any dry, refrigerated or frozen products. Shoppers can also pick up products to get a closer look and return items to the shelf without being charged. Totals are automatically shown on display units at the shelf and immediately deducted from their account. In the case of coolers or freezers, closing the door completes the transaction.

"We are setup and ready to show the world just how revolutionary this new unattended micro market concept is, and have already welcomed interested businesses to our new Las Vegas showroom," said Ran Margalit, CEO at ShelfX.

Previous attempts at an unmanned c-store have taken the form of giant vending machines, including Shop24 and the 24RobotMart, among others.

Since 2003 CSP magazine has ranked No. 1 in readership and market share over all other industry publications. C-store marketers have identified CSP as the preferred magazine source for their trade marketing communications. With industry-leading, highly targeted circulation to more than 100,000 subscribers, CSP reaches the key convenience retailing decision-makers fifteen times a year.